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SKI SPECIAL BloombergPursuits October 12, 2020CHUGACHMOUNTAINS,
ALASKA
When:A shortseasonlimitsyou
tofreezing-but-snowyMarchor
sunnierApril.
Why:ThesparklingMount
Diamond, 150 mileseastof
Anchorage,servesup6,200feet
ina singledrop,andit’snoteven
thetallestamongthisrange.
Runsaverage3,500vertical
feetwith40Ftempsina coastal
location;moistsnowmeans
morestabilityunderfoot.
Who:Originallyfoundedby
extreme-skiinglegendDoug
Coombsin1993,ValdezHeli-Ski
Guidescountssomeofthemost
experiencedinstructorsinthe
business.Seven-daypackages
from$5,900perperson;
valdezheliskiguides.comCOASTRANGE,
BRITISHCOLUMBIA
When:LateMarchandearly
Aprilofferlongandfrequent
bluebirddays.Why: This region is known for
quad-burning runs stretching
as long as 6,000 vertical feet
through old-growth forests, all on
fluffy Pacific powder.
Who: With exclusive access
to 3.25 million acres of terrain,
Bella Coola Heli Sports’ permit
area is as vast as the entire
Swiss Alps. This year it also
offers yacht-based heli trips
that blend fjord cruising with
kayaking and fresh tracks.
Eight-day packages from
$239,875 for as many as eight
people;bellacoolaheliskiing.comLA PARVA, CHILE
When: August, when cold smoke
powder—a light and dry snow—
is prevalent.
Why: Bowls filled with stomach-
dropping cornices and
seemingly endless gullies have
made this small but mighty
resort a regular stop on the
Freeskiing World Tour. Strong
intermediates can test their
mettle on demanding runsHeli-skiingmightbea once-in-a-lifetimeadventure,butif
therewereevera yeartotaketheplunge,thisis it.Aslong
asyoucanconfidentlytackleblues,consideryourselfready
fortheultimateinprivatedownhillthrill-seeking.Whether
you’relookingforextremesteepsormellowcruisers,here’s
wheretotakeflightaroundtheworld.◼Intermediate Advanced
◼ Intermediate-advanced Expert
James Bond on skisIn this topsy-turvy year,
remind yourself what
it really means to zoom
By Jen MurphyGet to
The Chopper!